RAKD

Some days it takes me a while to be inspired to write.
Some days it's like a big old brick slams me square in the head.
Today . . . it's a brick day!


In conferring with my "National Days" calendar what pops up for today?


It is:   National Random Acts of Kindness Day!!!


This is the stuff I speak of almost daily.
One tiny good deed, that may seem like such a small, insignificant act to you, could mean the absolutely world to the recipient.
You don't understand the power that you wield.


You have the power to change the world ~ one smile at a time.
Go . . . be kind!

Much Love

At the end of a long, long day yesterday, my daughter and I managed to pull off a surprise birthday celebration for my son's 21st birthday.


What a fabulous way to spend Valentine's Day!
It was a whole lot of love and laughing and chatting and 'car bombing' and existing together.
I cannot thank my daughter enough for her endeavors. You are amazing.
Thank you, too, to all those folks who travelled from near and far ~ on Valentine's Day ~ to share an evening celebrating a much deserving young man who was thoroughly surprised.
It made a mom's heart soar!


It didn't hurt that I had all my little family together, in one place, if only for a short while to stand in the midst of all that camaraderie and friendship.


Thanks for the love and for one of the best Valentine's Days EVER!

Love You!

Ahhhhhh Valentine's Day!
Eagerly awaited by card shops, florists, chocolatiers, and delivery companies.
Dreaded by husbands, boyfriends, and significant others.


Let me let you in on a little secret . . .


Flowers are beautiful!
My mom taught me the more exotic or 'different' the better. You don't have to spend a zillion dollars on roses. A single wild flower can sometimes incite more that you could ever anticipate.


Cards are always interesting.
Do I get a mushy one, a dripping-with-sentiment one, a silly one?
If you get one, just be sure it is signed with all your heart.


Chocolates are really a sure thing.
Inevitably, however, you'll have those few that no one wants to eat and then the . . . "Now I'm going to have to go to the gym eight times this week." always follows. There is always a little guilt in those decadent pleasures.


As for delivery companies . . . please tip them well.
They are working their butts off while you're waiting for cards, flowers, and chocolates.


The key to Valentine's Day is simple.
LOVE!
It doesn't matter if there are three dozen roses, a single flower, the three-month supply of chocolate, or a single Kiss. It doesn't matter what sort of card you choose. What matters most is to put your heart into whatever you do.


Make coffee with kindness.
Create breakfast with bliss.
Lunch date with eagerness and anticipation.
Dinner reservations without a care in the world of what they're serving . . . only emphasizing who you're dining with!


Share your heart today!
LOVE!

Choices

I sometimes write with a particular individual in mind. I am hoping to somehow, via verbiage, reach out and touch them. I find it most rewarding when someone, completely unrelated, tells me how much the day's blog meant to them. Makes it worth while!


Today's is definitely directed at a particular individual. I am using a 'life story' to make a point. I sure hope this helps!


Years ago, when my whole family was taking martial arts classes, we were dabbling in jiu-jitsu and ground grappling. The son of the owner, a several-degreed black belt, decided it would be fun to partner up with me. So . . . I happily took on the challenge. Our sparring almost immediately went to the floor where he tried to arm-bar me and put me in several other debilitating positions. With all of my gymnastics and dance training, I'm very bendy and was able to elude capture. He could not get me to tap out or even into a compromising position. When I had the opportunity, I sprang to my feet and walked away. He kept yelling at me to come back, get on the floor, and continue fighting.


Hmmmmmmmmmm . . . NO!


When you have overcome obstacles you did not think you had a chance of surviving; when you beat the odds of being in an abusive situation; when you have figured out how to get up, get out, survive and thrive . . . make the right choice and walk away. Why, for God's sake, would you go get back on the mat, or put yourself back into harm's way? You have nothing to prove to anyone, except your own self. People will always attempt to knock you down, put you in prickly situations, hurl accusations and defamations at you. Live so that none of that matters!


If you made it off the mats . . . point your shoes in another direction.
If you survived the prickly, hurtful, debilitating situations . . . do NOT repeat them and do NOT go back for more.
If you managed to avoid the train wreck, why continue walking on the tracks?


Make good choices!
Do what's right and best for you.
I did NOT go back to the mat.
I may have been sweaty and beat up and battered . . . but I am here to share this story!
Make good choices!

20/20

You might THINK you know what I'm going to write, but with just one single letter change, it brings about a whole new meaning!


Kindsight is 20/20!


Stop looking behind you.
Learn your lessons from whatever sits in your past and move forward.
There will be those folks who want to pitch a tent there.
That is not your concern.


Wake up today and smile.
Face your day with an open heart and an open mind.
Envelope the opportunities and possibilities that are before you.
Always turn a Kind eye!
See each individual as a vessel of hope.
Offer your talents, your time, your self.
There is no greater gift.
View the world in all its glory!

Let it go

As it usually does, inspiration interrupts my sleep!
Not sure if that's good or bad, but it occurs nonetheless.


I woke up this morning with two distinct individuals pictured in my head.
The giant blinking billboard above them pretty much said:
"Yes, they have hurt you. Yes, they were mean. Yes, they said and did ugly things to you. Yes, it is ok to feel angry and upset . . . but . . . does that help?"
The dream went on to elaborate that no matter how I respond, those folks will still hurt other people.
No matter how I respond, those folks will still be mean.
No matter how I respond, those folks will still do and say ugly things.
Their actions define THEM.
Your response defines YOU.
You have to pay for extra bagging when flying.
LET IT GO!


It serves no purpose to carry around the dead weight of folks who don't matter.
Lighten your load.
Fly high. Fly free.
Let it go.

Growth

Joel Osteen said:


You need to associate with people that inspire you,
people that challenge you to rise higher,
people that make you better.
Don't waste your valuable time
on people that are not adding to your growth.
Your destiny is too important.


There's almost too much in there to elaborate on.
Focus on this:


You, my friend, are a person of value and worth.
You have something amazing to do.
Surround yourself with positive, productive, philanthropic people.


Grow!